Bomb squad destroys suspicious package found under vehicle in South Merced

A suspicious package found beneath a truck was destroyed as a precaution by members of the Merced Police Department Bomb Squad.

The Bomb Squad was called out Wednesday morning after the package was found underneath a vehicle in the 100 block alley of W. 11th Street.

Neighbors told officers Ryan King and Vance Walker they found what appeared to be a metal lockbox that was partially concealed in a black cooler style bag, according to the police department. The package was found under a truck that belonged to one of the neighbors.

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The experts subsequently open the suspicious package using a water cannon that shot a concentrated stream of water focused at a particular part of the package, according to the release.

The squad “used a water cannon to disrupt whatever may have been in the package,” he said. “It contained personal affects but it was non-explosive.”

Officers King and Walker collected the contents of the package which consisted of personal papers that identified the owner of the box. They have not been able to locate the owner of the box and the personal papers.